Fractions are sometimes an obscure concept to teach to first graders. Most of the time they understand that they want the BIGGER piece, but understanding how we write and use fractions is a whole different story.

I have found, the best way to teach this is … through food. {I’m so sorry for all of you who can’t use food in your classroom!!}

When I introduce fractions I bring in something fun to eat. (Graham crackers really lend themselves to teaching fractions as they are already “cut”)

We then talk about if you would rather have a whole graham cracker or half of one. This helps them understand that a fraction is a part of a whole.

After this intro to fractions I let the kids practice breaking their graham crackers into halves.

I created a coloring pack to go along with Christmas cookies to help students with fractions. This pack has a few different Christmas cookies and gingerbread boys/girls and houses for students to “cut” in half and then decorate! We practiced drawing lines of symmetry and cutting the cookies in half. I also had my students write, “I got 1/2 and _____ got 1/2.” This reinforced writing the numerical fraction as well.

(Now mind you the gingerbread boy is not going to be cut EXACTLY in half because of his hat which spurred great conversations with my firsties!)

After a few paper and pencil activities we used Pepperidge Farms Ginger Family cookies to really drive the point home. My kids LOVED this!

First we split them into halves with our icing (which I put into ziplock baggies and cut a hole at the corner)

and then we decorated and enjoyed them!

Mmmmmm, fractions!

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Hi! I'm Kristen and I have been an early childhood teacher for 13 years. I currently teach kindergarten at a private Christian school in Austin, Texas. My passion is creating fun, engaging and inspiring lessons for my students and then sharing them with you! I strive to integrate science and social studies into all aspects of my classroom. I hope you enjoy my blog. Please let me know if you have questions or comments.